Thank you for your questions. Here are the answers to your questions:
1. Do I need to connect to a Matter Hub device to control Matter-compatible devices?
Yes, you do need a Matter-enabled hub.
To add and control Matter devices within the Google Home ecosystem, you must have a compatible Google device that acts as a Matter hub. This hub provides the necessary "Matter controller" functionality.
Compatible Google devices that can act as hubs can be found here.
The hub is essential for the initial setup and for managing your devices, whether they connect over Wi-Fi or Thread.
2. Is it possible to connect and control them locally without a hub?
Yes, but with some important context.
Once a Matter device is set up and added to your home's "fabric" (the secure, local network), commands can be executed locally over Wi-Fi or Thread.
However, to use the Google Home app or Google Assistant to initiate these commands, a Google hub is still required. The hub is what translates your voice commands or app taps into the local Matter commands. If your internet connection is down, a compatible Google hub can often still control your Matter devices locally.
The Google Home app itself, on your phone, is not a hub. It relies on a dedicated Google hub device in your home to provide the communication bridge.
3. Are there any differences in setup or functionality between using Google Home on iOS vs. Android?
The core functionality and setup process are now very similar, but there are some minor differences in the user experience.
Google has worked to create a consistent user experience across platforms. The basic steps of scanning a QR code or entering a setup key, assigning a room, and naming the device are the same.
The main difference lies in how the setup process is initiated:
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Android: Matter setup is deeply integrated into the Android OS itself via a feature called "Fast Pair." When a new Matter device is powered on and in pairing mode, a pop-up notification may appear on your Android phone, prompting you to begin the setup immediately, even before you open the Google Home app.
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iOS: While you get a seamless experience within the Google Home app, you won't see the same OS-level "Fast Pair" pop-up. You'll need to open the Google Home app, tap the '+' icon to add a new device, and then follow the on-screen prompts to scan the QR code.
In summary, the functionality you get in the Google Home app once the device is set up is the same on both platforms.
